Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-03-24
DAKOTA SOLDIERS.
What the New Law Prescribes-The
Old OrganizatIon Discontinued,

THAT the New Law Prescribes-The
Old Organization Discontinued.
Bismarck, March l8-The new militia
law Is liable to create q good deal of
comment in he territory when It's terms
become known. 1t is the most impor-
tant statute on the subject ever passed
in the west, and some of its provisions
may De found very difficult to execute.
1t provides for an entire reorganization
OF the militia, and under it's terms the
present officera and men are practically
mustered oats there being no provision
Tor their continuance in service pending
the organization OF the new guard.
Following is q synopsis of the law:
1t provides for q battalion Of artillery,
battalion of cavalry, two regiments Of
infantry, an adjutant generals depart
msnt, an engineer and ordnance depart
ment, @ medical department, q supply
department and such staff officers as
may be necessary. II the governor or
ganizes a brigade he may appoint q
brigadier general to command. The
battalion of artillery ls to consist of two
batteries commanded by . major. Each
company is commanded by captain and
company officer. The battalion of caval-
ry contests OF two troops also command
cd by q major. Infantry regiments
consists of ten companies. The chief
OF supply ls to have the rank of briga-
der general and purchase all supplies,
etc. He is entitled to two assistants
with the rank of major. The adiutant
general may organize O bureau of pen
sions to aid persons in obtaining pen
sions from the general governments, Ex-
penses of Office for this purpose are to be
paid out of the general found. The
salary of the adIntart general is lncreas.
ed to $1,000 per annum and $500 for
contingent expenses. Commanding OIL
GERS OF regiments shall detaIt their staff
officers from the officers of enlisted men
of their command. Tins Is an excellent
provision as is that also requiring pro-
motions to be made from the members
of the militia The governor Is required
to appoint q board OF three officers to
oodlfy the laws, articles OF war, etc.,
which codiication shall be published.
An enoampment OF oil organizations shall
be held, to continue at last six days in
each year. Section 20 gives command
ing officers abso ute control over parade
grounds, etc. Section Al provides
for "warning'' officers and men of ap-
proachinR 'rendezvous' by notifying
them verbally or reading notice to them.
Section 43 provides that no officer or
man shall be held accountable for any
act committed in the discharge of hia
|1duty. Any soldier who does not appear
at command in case OF riot or insurrec-
tIon, or to produce a medical certificate
of disability, is to be tried and punished
as q deserter under the United STAKES
articles OF war. Court martial, or courts
of inquiry hsye the same power ss other
courts to compel attendance Of witnesses,
ETC., etc. and any person behaving dis
] respectfully in the presence Of the court
can be committed to jail for contempt
by the presiding officer, the sheriff. being
required to execute all commando, etc.
The sheriff ia to attend all sittings OF
courts and act as marshal. III any person
i. is fined by o court martial, the president
OF the court can order the sheriff to COL
lect the fine from goods and ehattels.
III these are not found he is to take the
body of the defendant and put him In
Jail. The gay of officers and men ordered
into encampment or. into active service
is rs cents per day for privates; for
corporals, 81; %sergeants and drum
majors, $1.15: first sergeantB and chief
trumpeters, $1.25; sergeants major,
$I.50; first and second lieutenante,
81. rs; captains, 50, lieutenant colonies
and majors, $2.25; c~olonels and brigadiel
generals, s.. Allowance is made for
mileage, subsistence and per diem to all
officers ordered on duty. In going TO
any duty authorized by law, officers and
soldiers are, to have free transportation
for themselves, their horses and equip
ments, and no officer or soldier shall be
arrested on any civil process while going
to or returning from duty.